Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine

The MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine strives to maintain a leading position in the field of biomedical engineering by combining creative research with training a generation of interdisciplinary scientists. MERLN’s activities operate at the interface of biology, engineering and medicine to maximise impact at the level of public involvement and the commercialisation of research. MERLN’s vision is based on sharing knowledge, infrastructure, and ambition.

Fast facts

Specialises in technology for regeneration from bone to complex organs
Experts in fabrication of devices for cell based tissue regeneration
Several spin-off companies established
Led by Prof. Pamela Habibovic
Founded by Prof. Clemens van Blitterswijk

A Brightlands institute

Brightlands is an open innovation community in a global context, connecting four campuses in the province of Limburg: in Maastricht, Heerlen, Sittard-Geleen and Venlo. The campuses provide entrepreneurs, scientists and students state-of-the-art facilities to support development, education, innovation and growth. Naturally, there are close links between all four Brightlands campuses, and together they enable Limburg to serve as an innovation region where researchers and entrepreneurs take on the major challenges in the areas of materials, health, food and smart services.

Scientific breakthrough: Forming model embryos from stem cells in the lab

New research to unravel embryonic development and discover medicines

Scientists from the MERLN Institute and the Hubrecht Institute (KNAW) have successfully created in the laboratory embryo-like structures from mouse stem cells. These model embryos resemble natural ones to the extent that, for the first time, they implant into the uterus and initiate pregnancy. This radically new method opens the door to understanding the first and hidden processes of life, problems of infertility, or the embryonic origin of diseases. This scientific breakthrough has been published in Nature. >> read the complete news article.

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Research

Research at MERLN is focused on developing and employing breakthrough technologies to advance the repair and regeneration of both tissues and organs. The strategy includes, amongst others, the development of “smart” biomaterials that can trigger intrinsic tissue repair mechanisms mediated by the patient’s own cells.

Education

MERLN’s scientists are involved in educational activities within different undergraduate and graduate programmes as well as in the supervision of students performing research projects. They use their expertise in biology, chemistry, materials science and engineering, with distinct emphasis on biomedical applications, including regenerative medicine.

MERLIN

Lorenzo Moroni

“Our overarching goal is to create new solutions for regenerative medicine and understand the fundamental phenomena at the base of the observed regenerative processes.”

Pamela Habibović

"Intelligently designed synthetic biomaterials that can regulate the regeneration of damaged organs and tissues in the body are the future of regenerative medicine. Indeed, we need creativity in materials science and engineering to make regenerative strategies affordable for everybody."

Martijn van Griensven

“Our research aims at further developing and innovating a competitive research line including translational aspects in the field of molecular and cellular regenerative medicine.”

More on Martijn van Griensven

Liberated from the insulin syringe
Thursday, September 26, 2019

Almost 150,000 people in the Netherlands suffer from type 1 diabetes. Aart van Apeldoorn, diabetes researcher at the Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine (MERLN), hopes to do away with the insulin syringe by means of an implant known as the ‘tea bag’

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Forming model embryos in the lab: the backstory
Friday, July 20, 2018
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MERLN makes headlines worldwide: 65,000 hits in 30 seconds
Friday, June 1, 2018

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Forming model embryos from stem cells in the lab
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Scientists from the MERLN Institute and the Hubrecht Institute (KNAW) have successfully created in the laboratory embryo-like structures from mouse stem cells. These model embryos resemble natural ones to the extent that, for the first time, they implant into the uterus and initiate pregnancy.
Read more
Prestigious grant for research on stem cell-mediated tissue regeneration
Friday, April 13, 2018
Fundamental research on the repair process involved in tissue damage
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Launch new institute for regenerative medicine
Thursday, March 30, 2017
RegMed XB is the new institute for regenerative medicine
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Directed self-organisation of stem cells into tissues
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Researchers at the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine at Maastricht University have developed a smarter method for growing human tissues in laboratories. This method cleverly stimulates the natural self-organising capacity of stem cells to form complex tissues.
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Major European grant for professor Clemens van Blitterswijk
Friday, April 8, 2016
Clemens van Blitterswijk, professor of Complex Tissue Regeneration at Maastricht University, has been awarded the most prestigious European research grant for individual researchers: the ERC Advanced Investigator Grant.
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Clemens van Blitterswijk appointed member of the Royal Holland Society of Sciences and Humanities
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
The Royal Holland Society of Sciences and Humanities (KHMW) has appointed Maastricht University's Clemens van Blitterswijk as one of its newest members.
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Professor Clemens van Blitterswijk wins 2015 Huibregtsen Prize
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Professor Clemens van Blitterswijk has won the 2015 Huibregtsen Prize.
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